# Jaz drive

> removable hard disk storage system

**Wikidata**: [Q707793](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707793)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaz_drive)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jaz-drive

## Summary
The Jaz drive is a removable hard disk storage system introduced by LenovoEMC (originally Iomega) in 1996, offering 1GB and 2GB cartridges for large file storage. It was discontinued in 2002 and replaced by REV drives. The system used SCSI connectivity and provided higher capacity than contemporary solutions like Zip drives.

## Key Facts
- Introduced in 1996
- Discontinued in 2002
- Manufacturer: LenovoEMC
- Storage capacities: 1GB and 2GB cartridges
- Utilized SCSI interface
- Replaced by REV drives
- Subclass of removable hard drive
- Aliases: Iomega Jaz drive, Jaz磁碟
- BabelNet ID: 03505898n
- Freebase ID: /m/030bz7

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Jaz drive introduced?
A: The Jaz drive was introduced in 1996 by LenovoEMC (formerly Iomega).

### Q: What replaced the Jaz drive?
A: The Jaz drive was replaced by REV drives after its discontinuation in 2002.

### Q: How much storage did Jaz drives offer?
A: Jaz drives used 1GB or 2GB cartridges, providing higher capacity than floppy disks or early Zip drives.

## Why It Matters
The Jaz drive played a significant role in data storage during the late 1990s, addressing the need for portable high-capacity storage before the widespread adoption of high-speed internet and cloud solutions. It enabled users to transfer large files (e.g., multimedia projects) efficiently, bridging the gap between smaller removable media like floppy disks and later optical or solid-state storage. Though discontinued in 2002, it remains a notable example of early removable hard drive technology, influencing later storage systems like REV drives.

## Notable For
- Offered 1GB and 2GB capacities, surpassing Zip drives (100MB) of the era.
- Utilized SCSI connectivity for faster data transfer compared to parallel ports.
- Cartridges were physically larger and more robust than contemporary alternatives.
- Discontinued in 2002 due to competition from cheaper, higher-capacity storage formats.
- Replaced by REV drives, which improved upon the Jaz design with enhanced security features.

## Body
### Introduction and Discontinuation
- **Inception**: Launched in 1996 by LenovoEMC (originally developed by Iomega).
- **Discontinuation**: Production ended in 2002 as market demand shifted toward more affordable and higher-capacity storage solutions.

### Technical Specifications
- **Storage Capacity**: Available in 1GB and 2GB cartridges.
- **Interface**: Relied on SCSI connectivity for data transfer.
- **Design**: Removable cartridges allowed users to swap storage media, similar to modern HDD cassettes.

### Replacement and Legacy
- **Successor**: Replaced by REV drives, which offered improved encryption and larger capacities (e.g., 35GB).
- **Historical Context**: The Jaz drive competed with Zip drives and early DVD technology, ultimately becoming obsolete due to cost and size limitations.

### Classification and Identification
- **Subclass**: Categorized as a removable hard drive, emphasizing its swappable storage design.
- **Aliases**: Known as the Iomega Jaz drive and referred to as Jaz磁碟 in some regions.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.remosoftware.com/glossary/jaz-drive)